Pivotal Connection Between Hub Assembly and Ribs of Umbrella

ABSTRACT

A pivotal connection between hub assembly and ribs of an umbrella, includes a hub assembly having a top face and a bottom face, and multiple slots are defined in the outer periphery, and defined through the top face and the bottom face of the hub assembly. An installation face defined in one of the top face and the bottom face. Each slot has an inclined face defined in two opposite insides thereof, and each inclined face is located to communicate with the installation face. Each slot has a guide extending from each of the two opposite insides thereof. Multiple ribs each have a first end thereof pivotably connected to the slot corresponding thereto via the installation face. The first end of each rib has a first inclined portion to be matched with the inclined face corresponding thereto. The guides restrict the ribs from dropping from the slots.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Fields of the Invention

The present invention relates to an umbrella, and more particularly, to a pivotal connection between the hub assembly and the ribs.

2. Descriptions of Related Art

The conventional umbrella includes a shaft with a hub on the top of the shaft, and multiple ribs are respectively connected to slots defined in the outer periphery of the hub. Multiple steel cables are connected to all of the ribs, and secure in the slots. However, the assembly is time-consuming, and the steel cables are broken after a period of time of use due to frequent radial and axial forces applied thereto. Once the steel cables are broken, the ribs are separated from the hub and the umbrella cannot be operated functionally.

The present invention is intended to provide a pivotal connection between the hub assembly and the ribs so as to eliminate the shortcomings of the conventional umbrellas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pivotal connection between hub assembly and ribs of an umbrella, and comprises a hub assembly having a top face and a bottom face, and multiple slots are defined in the outer periphery of the hub assembly. Each slot is defined through the top face and the bottom face of the hub assembly. The hub assembly has an installation face defined in one of the top face and the bottom face thereof. Each slot has an inclined face defined in each of the two opposite insides thereof, and each inclined face is located to communicate with the installation face. Each slot has a guide extending from each of the two opposite insides thereof. Multiple ribs each have a first end thereof pviotably connected to the slot corresponding thereto. The first end of each rib has a first inclined portion defined in one side thereof so as to be matched with the inclined face corresponding thereto. The guides restrict the ribs from being moved toward the installation face.

Preferably, two pivots respectively extend from two sides of the first end of each rib. The hub assembly has a passage defined in the installation face and extending into the two opposite insides of each slot. The two pivots of each rib are located in the passage corresponding thereto.

Preferably, the hub assembly includes a top hub and a bottom hub. The top hub has the installation face defined in the top face thereof. The bottom hub has the installation face defined in the top face or the bottom face thereof.

Preferably, the first end of each rib includes a hole defined transversely therethrough. Each of the opposite insides of each slot has a pivot integrally extending therefrom. Each pivot includes a second inclined portion formed on one side thereof. The pivots are located in the hole corresponding thereto.

Preferably, multiple ribs are integrally connected with each other by the pivots. The multiple ribs are pivotably connected to multiple slots via one passage.

Preferably, the hub assembly includes a bottom hub, wherein the bottom hub has the installation face defined in the top face or the bottom face thereof. A tube is connected to the bottom face of the bottom hub and the top portion of the tube covers up the holes.

The advantages of the present invention are that the ribs are installed to the slots from the installation face of the hub assembly, and the guides restrict the ribs from moving out from the slots without using steel cables, thereby, the assembling efficiency is increased.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the hub assembly and the rib of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the hub assembly and the rib of the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows that the umbrella the second embodiment of the present invention is in an opened status;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the hub assembly and the rib of the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the hub assembly and the ribs of the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the hub assembly and the ribs of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the hub assembly and the rib of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pivotal connection between hub assembly and ribs of an umbrella of the present invention comprises a hub assembly 1 having a top face and a bottom face. Multiple slots 12 are defined in an outer periphery of the hub assembly 1, and each slot 12 is defined through the top face and the bottom face of the hub assembly 1. IN this embodiment, there are six slots 12 and each slot 12 is connected with a rib 2. The hub assembly 1 has an installation face 11 defined in one of the top face and the bottom face thereof. Each slot 12 has an inclined face 122 defined in each of two opposite insides thereof, and each inclined face 122 is located to communicate with the installation face 11. Besides, each slot 12 has a guide 121 extending from each of the two opposite insides thereof.

The ribs 2 each have a first end thereof pviotably connected to the slot 12 corresponding thereto, wherein the first end of each rib 2 has a first inclined portion 22 defined in one side thereof so as to be matched with the inclined face 122 corresponding thereto such that the ribs 2 are easily installed to the slots 12. The guides 121 narrow the width of the slot 12 so as to restrict the rib 2 from being moved toward the installation face 11.

The first end of each rib 2 includes a hole 21 defined transversely therethrough. Each of the opposite insides of each slot 12 has a pivot 3 integrally extending therefrom. Each pivot 3 includes a second inclined portion 31 formed on one side thereof, and the pivots 3 are located in the hole 21 corresponding thereto. The pivots 3 can also perform as the guides 121. The second inclined portion 31 is helpful to install the rib 2 between the two pivots 3.

When installing, the ribs 2 pushed into the slots 12 from the installation face 11, and the pivots 3 are pivotably engaged with the holes 21.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hub assembly 1 includes a top hub and a bottom hub, wherein the top hub has the installation face 11 defined in the top face thereof, and the bottom hub has the installation face 11 defined in the top face or the bottom face thereof. The ribs 2 are installed to the top hub from the top face of the top hub, and the ribs 2 are installed to the bottom hub from the bottom face of the bottom hub. A tube 4 is connected to the bottom face of the bottom hub and the top portion of the tube 4 covers up the holes 21.

FIGS. 3 to 5 disclose the second embodiment of the present invention, and comprises a hub assembly 1 having a top face and a bottom face. Multiple slots 12 are defined in an outer periphery of the hub assembly 1, and each slot 12 is defined through the top face and the bottom face of the hub assembly 1. In this embodiment, there are six slots 12 and each slot 12 is connected with a rib 2. The hub assembly 1 has an installation face 11 defined in one of the top face and the bottom face thereof. Each slot 12 has an inclined face 122 defined in each of two opposite insides thereof, and each inclined face 122 is located to communicate with the installation face 11. Besides, each slot 12 has a guide 121 extending from each of the two opposite insides thereof.

The ribs 2 each have a first end thereof pviotably connected to the slot 12 corresponding thereto, wherein the first end of each rib 2 has a first inclined portion 22 defined in one side thereof so as to be matched with the inclined face 122 corresponding thereto such that the ribs 2 are easily installed to the slots 12. Two pivots 3 respectively and integrally extend from two sides of the first end of each rib 2. The hub assembly 1 has a passage 13 defined in the installation face 11 and extending into the two opposite insides of each slot 12. The two pivots 3 of each rib 2 are located in the passage 13 corresponding thereto. The guides 121 restrict the rib 2 from being moved toward the installation face 11.

When installing, the ribs 2 are pushed into the slots 12 and pass between the guides 121 from the installation face 11, while the pivots 3 pass through the passage 13 to pivotably connect the ribs 2 to the hub assembly 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hub assembly 1 includes a top hub and a bottom hub, wherein the top hub has the installation face 11 defined in the top face thereof, and the bottom hub has the installation face 11 defined in the top face or the bottom face thereof. The ribs 2 are installed to the top hub from the top face of the top hub, and the ribs 2 are installed to the bottom hub from the bottom face of the bottom hub. A tube 4 is connected to the bottom face of the bottom hub and the top portion of the tube 4 covers up the holes 21.

FIGS. 6 to 7 disclose the third embodiment of the present invention and comprises a hub assembly 1 having a top face and a bottom face. Multiple slots 12 are defined in an outer periphery of the hub assembly 1, and each slot 12 is defined through the top face and the bottom face of the hub assembly 1. In this embodiment, there are six slots 12 and each slot 12 is connected with a rib 2. The hub assembly 1 has an installation face 11 defined in one of the top face and the bottom face thereof. Each slot 12 has an inclined face 122 defined in each of two opposite insides thereof, and each inclined face 122 is located to communicate with the installation face 11. Besides, each slot 12 has a guide 121 extending from each of the two opposite insides thereof.

The ribs 2 each have a first end thereof pviotably connected to the slot 12 corresponding thereto, wherein the first end of each rib 2 has a first inclined portion 22 defined in one side thereof so as to be matched with the inclined face 122 corresponding thereto such that the ribs 2 are easily installed to the slots 12. The hub assembly 1 has six passages 13 defined in the installation face 11 and each passage 13 extends into the two opposite insides of the slot 12 corresponding thereto. A hole 21 is defined transversely through each rib 2. A pivot 3 pivotably extends through the hole 21 of each rib 2. The guides 121 restrict the rib 2 from being moved toward the installation face 11.

When installing, the ribs 2 are pushed into the slot 12 and pass between the guides 121 from the installation face 11, while the pivots 3 pass through the passages 13 to pivotably connect the ribs 2 to the hub assembly 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the hub assembly 1 includes a top hub and a bottom hub, wherein the top hub has the installation face 11 defined in the top face thereof, and the bottom hub has the installation face 11 defined in the top face or the bottom face thereof.

FIGS. 8 to 9 disclose the fourth embodiment of the present invention and comprises a hub assembly 1 having a top face and a bottom face. Multiple slots 12 are defined in an outer periphery of the hub assembly 1, and each slot 12 is defined through the top face and the bottom face of the hub assembly 1. In this embodiment, there are eight slots 12 and each slot 12 is connected with a rib 2. The hub assembly 1 has an installation face 11 defined in one of the top face and the bottom face thereof. Each slot 12 has an inclined face 122 defined in each of two opposite insides thereof, and each inclined face 122 is located to communicate with the installation face 11. Besides, each slot 12 has a guide 121 extending from each of the two opposite insides thereof. The hub assembly 1 has a passage 13 defined in the installation face 11 and extending into the two opposite insides of each slot 12.

The ribs 2 each have a first end thereof pviotably connected to the slot 12 corresponding thereto, wherein the first end of each rib 2 has a first inclined portion 22 defined in one side thereof so as to be matched with the inclined face 122 corresponding thereto such that the ribs 2 are easily installed to the slots 12. Two pivots 3 respectively and integrally extend from two sides of the first end of each rib 2. The two pivots 3 of each rib 2 are located in the passage 13 corresponding thereto. Each passage 13 communicates with two slots 12. The two ribs 2 that are pivotably connected to the two slots 12 that are communicated with each other by the passage 13 are integrally with the pivots 3 located there between. The guides 121 restrict the rib 2 from being moved toward the installation face 11.

When installing, the ribs 2 are pushed into the slots 12 and pass between the guides 121 from the installation face 11, while the pivots 3 pass through the passage 13 to pivotably connect the ribs 2 to the hub assembly 1.

As shown in FIG. 8, the hub assembly 1 includes a top hub and a bottom hub, wherein the top hub has the installation face 11 defined in the top face thereof, and the bottom hub has the installation face 11 defined in the top face or the bottom face thereof.

FIGS. 10 to 12 disclose the fifth embodiment of the present invention and comprises a hub assembly 1 having a top face and a bottom face. Multiple slots 12 are defined in an outer periphery of the hub assembly 1, and each slot 12 is defined through the top face and the bottom face of the hub assembly 1. In this embodiment, there are eight slots 12 and each slot 12 is connected with a rib 2. The hub assembly 1 has an installation face 11 defined in one of the top face and the bottom face thereof. Each slot 12 has an inclined face 122 defined in each of two opposite insides thereof, and each inclined face 122 is located to communicate with the installation face 11. Besides, each slot 12 has a guide 121 extending from each of the two opposite insides thereof. The hub assembly 1 has two passages 13 defined in the installation face 11 and each passage 13 communicates with four slots 12. Each passage 13 extends into the two opposite insides of each of the four slots 12.

The ribs 2 each have a first end thereof pviotably connected to the slot 12 corresponding thereto, wherein the first end of each rib 2 has a first inclined portion 22 defined in one side thereof so as to be matched with the inclined face 122 corresponding thereto such that the ribs 2 are easily installed to the slots 12. The four ribs 2 in the four slots 12 that communicate with each other, are integrally formed with the pivots 3 between them. Therefore, the four integrally formed ribs 2 and the pivots 3 are put into the slots 12 via one passage 13 in one time. The guides 121 restrict the rib 2 from being moved toward the installation face 11.

When installing, the ribs 2 are pushed into the slots 12 and pass between the guides 121 from the installation face 11, while the pivots 3 pass through the passage 13 to pivotably connect the ribs 2 to the hub assembly 1.

As shown in FIG. 10, the hub assembly 1 includes a top hub and a bottom hub, wherein the top hub has the installation face 11 defined in the top face thereof, and the bottom hub has the installation face 11 defined in the top face or the bottom face thereof.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pivotal connection between hub assembly and ribs of an umbrella, comprising: a hub assembly (1) having a top face and a bottom face, multiple slots (12) defined in an outer periphery of the hub assembly (1), each slot (12) defined through the top face and the bottom face of the hub assembly (1), the hub assembly (1) having an installation face (11) defined in one of the top face and the bottom face thereof, each slot (12) having an inclined face (122) defined in each of two opposite insides thereof, each inclined face (122) located to communicate with the installation face (11), each slot (12) having a guide (121) extending from each of the two opposite insides thereof, and multiple ribs (2) each having a first end thereof pviotably connected to the slot (12) corresponding thereto, the first end of each rib (2) having a first inclined portion (22) defined in one side thereof so as to be matched with the inclined face (122) corresponding thereto, the guides (121) restricting the ribs (2) from being moved toward the installation face (11).
 2. The pivotal connection as claimed in claim 1, wherein two pivots (3) respectively extend from two sides of the first end of each rib (2), the hub assembly (1) has a passage (13) defined in the installation face (11) and extending into the two opposite insides of each slot (12), the two pivots (3) of each rib (2) are located in the passage (13) corresponding thereto.
 3. The pivotal connection as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hub assembly (1) includes a top hub and a bottom hub, the top hub has the installation face (11) defined in a top face thereof, the bottom hub has the installation face (11) defined in a top face or a bottom face thereof.
 4. The pivotal connection as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end of each rib (2) includes a hole (21) defined transversely therethrough, each of the opposite insides of each slot (12) has a pivot (3) integrally extending therefrom, each pivot (3) includes a second inclined portion (31) formed on one side thereof, the pivots (3) are located in the hole (21) corresponding thereto.
 5. The pivotal connection between as claimed in claim 2, wherein multiple ribs (2) are integrally connected with each other by the pivots (3), the multiple ribs (2) are pivotably connected to multiple slots (12) via one passage (13).
 6. The pivotal connection as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hub assembly (1) includes a bottom hub, the bottom hub has the installation face (11) defined in a top face or a bottom face thereof, a tube (4) is connected to the bottom face of the bottom hub and a top portion of the tube (4) covers up the holes (21). 